What is sin? Why do people of the Christian faith also fall into sin? These are questions present in many conversations of non-believers. The theologian Jean-François Collange defines sin as a fault (original er.: faute) committed against divinity. This guilt concerns a specific action or incident, which is believed to “hurt” or “offend” the holiness of God and His eminent dignity. Traditionally this offense is seen as expressed through the symbol of an act that makes man impure and undermines sanctity, and which can be ritually purified. (Ricoeur, I960) (176)The true truth of the Christian faith is that we all fall into sin. However, our sin has been covered and forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. Those outside the Christian faith may fail to understand the true meaning of what it means to be a Christian. We are often here among those who are ashamed of their sin and feel as if their sin is too great for even God to handle. Those of the Christian faith, however, know that this is not the case. The Christian faith is founded on the grace and mercy of God which covers the sin into which we all fall. Rather than feeling guilty or ashamed of their sin, Christians understand the power of Jesus' death on the cross. A common misconception among many unbelievers is that their sin is two great things to be forgiven. Non-believers may tend to distance themselves from the Christian faith because they feel a sense of shame and guilt for their past or current sins. According to a recent study, “The phenomenon of shame, as old as Adam and Eve, and the cult of self-esteem, founded by the serpent, both now rampant in our culture, indicate that members of our society acutely feel the effects of their sin ” (Biddle 359). That...... middle of paper......nt is an essential element of Christianity” (784). Therefore, Jesus' atonement for our sins is the center of Christianity. Pain, suffering, death, and resurrection all represent the forgiveness of sins and grace that God has revealed to us. As Christians, we are given eternal life through grace and the blood shed on the cross. This is the fundamental understanding of Christian doctrine. While these are just two key beliefs of Christian doctrine, they are important factors in what it means to be a Christian. Through the infinite grace of God, abandoned by the death of Jesus on the cross, these values ​​are crucial parts that make Christianity what it is. Ephesians 2:8-9 states that “By grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, but is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).